A British Transport Police (BTP) new recruit who leapt into action to save an elderly passenger’s life after he was taken ill at Reading station has also been named a runner-up for the Chris Tarrant Award.

PC Karla Fox, 40, who was still on probation at the time having only joined the force in 2014, rushed to the 74-year-old man’s aid, performing CPR.

After safely getting him off to hospital, she visited him there the next day.

“I knew he was travelling alone [from Denmark] and had no family over here so I wanted to check how he was doing and keep him company for a while,” said kind-hearted Karla, who has stayed in contact with the patient and has received an email from his family thanking her for saving his life.

“He was very happy to get home and be with his family and he is recovering well,” she said.

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Praise for PC Fox was echoed by many people on Facebook, including her proud colleague PC Kat Billingham, who posted on the BTP page the day after the June 6 incident: “[PC Fox] attended an unwell male, saw him turn grey, hit the deck and stop breathing. She immediately gave CPR and managed to revive him.

Chris Tarrant Award runner-up PC Karla Fox

"Ambulance arrived and later confirmed that the 74-year-old had a 'cardiac event' and PC Fox had saved his life. As her crew mate I'm super proud.”

At the Pride of Reading Awards ceremony on Friday, November 4, PC Fox, who finished her probation in August, said: “This is still very bonkers! But it is nice to be acknowledged, especially as there have been so many amazing stories celebrated at today’s ceremony.

"It is very nice to be part of such a special event, and to be part of such a brilliant team at Reading.

"We all support each other, and I’m really glad I made the change from being a behaviour specialist at a primary school to a police officer.”